Understanding Guitar Wiring, Part 7: Output Jacks

The output jack is where it all comes together. The various pickups, pots, switches, and caps eventually direct the signal generated by the pickups to the output jack. Diagram #13 shows a typical mono jack and how it should be connected. Diagram #14 shows how to wire a stereo output jack to turn on an onboard power source (battery) when a 1/4" mono plug is inserted. This works by using the "ring" connector of the stereo jack to complete the ground side of the active onboard circuit when the plug is inserted.

More in This Series

Part One: How a magnetic pickup works

Part Two: What is a potentiometer and how does it work?

Part Three: How is a volume pot wired?

Part Four: What is a capacitor and how does it work?

Part Five: Selector Switches

Part Six: Mini toggle switch basics and push-pull pot basics

Part Seven: Output Jacks

Part Eight: Grounding and Shielding

Part Nine: Understanding impedance and impedance matching

Part Ten: Wiring Glossary

Part Eleven: Sample Diagrams